Swank is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress. She is best known for her two Oscar-winning performances: in the movie Boys Don't Cry, and in Million Dollar Baby.

Her film career in Hollywood began with a small part in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) and then a major part in The Next Karate Kid (1994).

When she was nine years old, Swank made her first appearance on stage starring as Mowgli in The Jungle Book, and thereafter became heavily involved in her school and community theater programs. She competed in the Junior Olympics and the Washington State championships in swimming; she ranked 5th in the state in all-around gymnastics. Swank's parents separated when she was 15, and her mother, supportive of her daughter's desire to act, moved the two of them to Los Angeles, California, where they lived out of their car until Swank's mother saved enough money to rent an apartment. She enrolled in South Pasadena High School, and started acting professionally.

Swank married actor Chad Lowe on September 28, 1997, but they announced in May 2006 that they were divorcing.

Public Name: Hilary Swank
Birth Name: Hilary Ann Swank
Date of Birth: July 30, 1974
Place of Birth: Lincoln, Nebraska

Filmography

• Labyrinth (2008)
• P.S., I Love You (2008)
• The Reaping (2007)
• Freedom Writers (2007)
• The Black Dahlia (2006)
• "Saturday Night Live" (1 episode, 2005)
• Million Dollar Baby (2004)
• Red Dust (2004)
• Iron Jawed Angels (2004)
• 11:14 (2003)
• The Core (2003)
• The Space Between (2002)
• Insomnia (2002)
• The Affair of the Necklace (2001)
• The Gift (2000)
• The Audition (2000)
• Boys Don't Cry (1999)
• "Beverly Hills, 90210" (25 episodes, 1997-1998)
• Heartwood (1998)
• Quiet Days in Hollywood (1997)
• The Sleepwalker Killing (1997)
• "Leaving L.A." (1997)
• Dying to Belong (1997)
• Sometimes They Come Back... Again (1996)
• Terror in the Family (1996)
• Kounterfeit (1996)
• The Next Karate Kid (1994)
• Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story (1994)
• "Camp Wilder" (1992)
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
• "Growing Pains" (2 episodes, 1991-1992)
• "Evening Shade" (1990)
• "Harry and the Hendersons" (1 episode, 1991)
• "ABC TGIF" (1990)

Awards

• Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) "Million Dollar Baby" 2005
• Oscar Best Actress "Million Dollar Baby" 2005
• Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role "Million Dollar Baby" 2005
• Boston Society of Film Critics Award Best Actress "Million Dollar Baby" 2004
• Broadcast Film Critics Association Award Best Actress "Million Dollar Baby" 2004
• National Society of Film Critics Award Best Actress "Million Dollar Baby" 2004
• ShoWest Female Star of Tomorrow Award 2000
• Boston Society of Film Critics Award Best Actress "Boys Don't Cry" 1999
• Broadcast Film Critics Association Award Best Actress "Boys Don't Cry" 1999
• Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) "Boys Don't Cry" 1999
• Golden Satellite Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) "Boys Don't Cry" 1999
• Independent Spirit Award Best Female Lead "Boys Don't Cry" 1999
• Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award Best Actress "Boys Don't Cry" 1999
• Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award Most Promising Actress "Boys Don't Cry" 1999
• Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award Best Actress "Boys Don't Cry" 1999
• National Board of Review Award Breakthrough Performance "Boys Don't Cry" 1999
• New York Film Critics Circle Award Best Actress "Boys Don't Cry" 1999
• Oscar Best Actress "Boys Don't Cry" 1999
• Toronto Film Critics Association Award Best Actress "Boys Don't Cry" 1999